The results of the 2014 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES) are presented by key people management themes (i.e., employee engagement, leadership, workforce, workplace).

Note: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to 100. Results have been adjusted for non-response to better represent the target population. Therefore, percentages should not be used to determine the number of respondents within a response
category.

Harassment

Harassment is normally a series of incidents, but it can be one severe incident that has a lasting impact on the individual.
Harassment is any improper conduct by an individual that is directed at and offensive to another individual in the workplace, including at any event or any location related to work, and that the individual knew or ought reasonably to have known would cause offence or harm. It comprises objectionable act(s), comment(s) or display(s) that demean, belittle, or cause personal humiliation or embarrassment, and any act of intimidation or threat. It also includes harassment within the meaning of the Canadian Human Rights Act (i.e., based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, and pardoned conviction or suspended record).

Question 63. Having carefully read the definition of harassment, have you been the victim of harassment on the job in the past two years?

Question 64d. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals for whom I have a custodial responsibility (e.g., inmates, offenders, patients, detainees)(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 64e. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 64f. From whom did you experience harassment on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 65e. Please indicate the nature of the harassment you experienced. Interference with work or withholding resources(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 66a. What action(s) did you take to address the harassment you experienced? I discussed the matter with my supervisor or a senior manager.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 66b. What action(s) did you take to address the harassment you experienced? I discussed the matter with the person(s) from whom I experienced the harassment.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 66c. What action(s) did you take to address the harassment you experienced? I contacted a human resources advisor in my department or agency.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 66d. What action(s) did you take to address the harassment you experienced? I contacted my union representative.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 66e. What action(s) did you take to address the harassment you experienced? I used an informal conflict resolution process.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 66f. What action(s) did you take to address the harassment you experienced? I filed a grievance or formal complaint.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 66g. What action(s) did you take to address the harassment you experienced? I resolved the matter informally on my own.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63))

Question 67a. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? The issue was resolved.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67b. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? I did not think the incident was serious enough.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67c. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? The behaviour stopped.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67d. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? The individual apologized.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67e. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? Management intervened.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67f. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? The individual left or changed jobs.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67g. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? I changed jobs.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67h. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? I did not know what to do, where to go or whom to ask.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67i. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? I was too distraught.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67j. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? I had concerns about the formal complaint process (e.g., confidentiality, how long it would take).(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67k. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? I was advised against filing a complaint.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67l. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? I was afraid of reprisal ((e.g., having limited career advancement, being labelled a troublemaker).(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67m. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? Someone threatened me.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67n. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? I did not believe it would make a difference.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Question 67o. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the harassment you experienced? Other(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of harassment (Q63) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q66))

Discrimination

Discrimination means treating someone differently or unfairly because of a personal characteristic or distinction, which, whether intentional or not, has an effect that imposes disadvantages not imposed on others, or that withholds or limits access that is given to others. There are 11 prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, and pardoned conviction or suspended record.

Question 74. Having carefully read the definition of discrimination, have you been the victim of discrimination on the job in the past two years?

Question 75d. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals for whom I have a custodial responsibility(e.g., inmates, offenders, patients, detainees) (Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 75e. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Individuals from other departments or agencies(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 75f. From whom did you experience discrimination on the job? Members of the public (individuals or organizations)(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 76k. Please indicate the type of discrimination you experienced. Pardoned conviction or suspended record(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 77a. What action(s) did you take to address the discrimination you experienced? I discussed the matter with my supervisor or a senior manager.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 77b. What action(s) did you take to address the discrimination you experienced? I discussed the matter with the person(s) from whom I experienced the discrimination.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 77c. What action(s) did you take to address the discrimination you experienced? I contacted a human resources advisor in my department or agency.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 77d. What action(s) did you take to address the discrimination you experienced? I contacted my union representative.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 77e. What action(s) did you take to address the discrimination you experienced? I used an informal conflict resolution process.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 77f. What action(s) did you take to address the discrimination you experienced? I filed a grievance or formal complaint.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 77g. What action(s) did you take to address the discrimination you experienced? I resolved the matter informally on my own.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 77i. What action(s) did you take to address the discrimination you experienced? I took no action(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74))

Question 78a. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? The issue was resolved.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78b. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? I did not think the incident was serious enough.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78c. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? The behaviour stopped.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78d. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? The individual apologized.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78e. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? Management intervened.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78f. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? The individual left or changed jobs.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78g. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? I changed jobs.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78h. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? I did not know what to do, where to go or whom to ask.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78i. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? I was too distraught.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78j. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? I had concerns about the formal complaint process (e.g., confidentiality, how long it would take).(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78k. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? I was advised against filing a complaint.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78l. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? I was afraid of reprisal ((e.g., having limited career advancement, being labelled a troublemaker).(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78m. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? Someone threatened me.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78n. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? I did not believe it would make a difference.(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Question 78o. Why did you not file a grievance or a formal complaint about the discrimination you experienced? Other(Question asked only to employees who indicated that they were a victim of discrimination (Q74) and that they did not file a grievance / formal complaint (Q77))

Duty to Accommodate

The duty to accommodate refers to the employer’s obligation to eliminate disadvantages to employees, prospective employees or clients that result from a rule, practice or physical barrier that has or that may have an adverse impact on individuals or groups protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act or identified as a designated group under the Employment Equity Act. It applies to all grounds of discrimination covered by the Canadian Human Rights Act: race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, marital status, family status, disability, and pardoned conviction or suspended record. Employers must provide accommodation up to the point of undue hardship, taking into account essential job requirements.

Question 81. Having carefully read the definition above, have you requested measures to accommodate your needs in the workplace in the last two years?

Question 83. I am satisfied with the measures that were taken to accommodate my needs.(Question asked only to employees who requested measures to accommodate their needs (Q81) and indicated that measures were taken (Q82))